Dispenser box support bracket



' Dec. 13, 1960 c. w. JOHNSON DISPENSER BOX SUPPORT BRACKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2. 1956 IWMVl INVENTOR.

CHARLES W JOHNSON Filed April 2, 1956 Dec. 13, 1960 c. w. JbHNsoN 2,964,282

' DISPENSER BOX SUPPORT BRACKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l3 25 57 0 I I a F O 263 48x0 4 .0 v. 57 27 46 v 46 44 ,4? 47 2 21 fzl l6 v 1? F 5 nc v I O: v 59 ZW/A II) J INVENTOR.

CHARLES W JOHNSON ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 1960 c. w. JOHNSON DISPENSER BOX SUPPORT BRACKET Filed April 2, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES W. JOHNSON BY Dec. 13, 1960 C. W. JOHNSON DISPENSER BOX SUPPORT BRACKET Filed April 2. 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CHARLES W. JOHNSON AT TORNE Y United States Patent ice DISPENSER BOX SUPPORT BRACKET Charles W. Johnson, 876 Downing St, Denver, Colo.

Filed Apr. 2, 1956, Ser. No. 575,650

3 Claims. (Cl. 248-313) The present invention relates to a support bracket adapted to receive and hold various types of tissue dispenser cartons.

Previously, many different types of mounting brackets have been made to receive and hold the type container now almost universally used for nose tissue papers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved type holder which may be mounted in convenient locations on vertical or horizontal surfaces, such as, on a wall, on the top or underneath surface of a table or shelf.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support holder adapted to readily receive and securely hold a tissue dispenser box in a desired position. Since it has been found advantageous to expose the familiar tissue paper dispenser box, so that it may be readily seen and recognized by the user, a major objective of the present invention has been to provide a type of support bracket that may be positioned unobtrusively in flush position on a support surface, such as a wall, to hold the dispenser carton in full view of the user.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide various means and mechanisms for satisfying the foregoing objectives.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the appended description and drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective view in partial phantom outline showing one type of support bracket made in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view in partial section showing a first type of operative mechanism made in accordance with this invention,

Fig; 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a plan view in partial section showing the operative mechanism of a second embodiment of this invention, a

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the embodiment of Fig. 4 in open or extended position,

Fig. 6 is a plan view in partial section showing a third embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 7 is a plan view in partial section showing a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a plan view in partial section showing an adjusting mechanism utilized to accommodate various sizes of dispenser boxes,

, Fig. 9 is a side elevation in partial section showing one form of box engaging pins or pegs, and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation in partial section showing a further formof pin or peg used in connection with the 2,964,282 Patented Dec. 13, 196i) slot in the box disposed outwardly away from the back support to hold the dispenser box in such desired position. At least one movable anchor plate is provided which is adapted to move reciprocally inwardly and outwardly toward and away from an edge of the back support. A forwardly extending portion of the anchor plate is provided with a sharpened box-engaging spike which punches a hole in the end of the box to securely hold the dispenser box against the back support when said anchor plate is in retracted position.

The specific embodiments of the present invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show fea tures of a first embodiment of the invention. In these figures the back support plate 11, which is adapted to be mounted flush against a supporting wall by means of screws or the like extending through the openings 12, is provided with a center opening 13. Along the bottom edge 14 of the back support 11 metal stops 16 are provided which extend forwardly from the front face 17 of the back support 11. These stops 16, as shown in Fig. 1, are positioned and adapted to engage one of the side surfaces of the tissue paper dispenser box 18 (shown in phantom outline only).

The side faces 19 of the back support 11 are provided with guide stops 21 having an entrance portion 22. These guide stops 21, which are secured to the back support 11 by screws or other means, are adapted to engage the end surfaces of the dispenser box 18. It will be observed that when a dispenser box 18 is being positioned on the support plate 11, the guide portions 22 will aid in the correct positioning of said box.

Since the engagement between the box 18 and the stops 16 and 21 is merely frictional, it is desirable to provide additional means for securely holding the box 18 in its adjusted position. The mechanism utilized in this first embodiment of the invention includes the use of movable anchor plates 23. These anchor plates 23 are provided with a forwardly extending portion 24 which extends beyond the front face 17 of the support 11. This forwardly extending portion 24 is further provided with sharpened pegs 26 which are directed inwardly with respect to the support 11. Operating handles 27 are likewise engaged to the anchor pieces 23.

In order to allow for the desirable placement of the box 18 in position on the support 11, it is necessary that one or both of the anchor plates 23 be adapted for reciprocal movement away from the end face 19 of the support 11 in order to provide clearance past the sharpened pegs 26 for introduction of the box 18. The desired reciprocal movement of the anchor pieces 23 and pegs 26 is accomplished in this particular embodiment of the invention through use of a rocker arm 28 mounted for rotational movement about a central pivot 29, which is itself secured to a strap 31 disposed across the opening 14. Push rods 32 are pivotally connected to the rocker -arm28 by pins 33 to transmit the rotational movement of the rocker arm 28 through the universal joints 34 into reciprocal movement ofguide rods 36. Guide rods 36, which are attached to the anchor plate 23, are adapted to move reciprocally through the guide bore 37 drilled through support 11.

It will be observed that with the foregoing arrangement any pulling force exerted on one of the handles 27 tending to move the handle 27 and anchor plate 23 outwardly away from the end face 19 of support 11 will cause the opposite anchor plate 23 likewise to be moved outwardly away from the opposite end face 19 of support 11. When sufiicient movement of the anchor pieces 23 have been made, a dispenser box may be moved into its desired position, after which inward movement of the anchor pieces 23will cause the sharpened pegs 26 to puncture the end walls of the box 18, thereby holding the box in its desired position.

p A spring or springs 38 are provided to energize said mechanism and to keep the sharpened pegs 26 in engagement with the box 18. These springs 38, as shown, are positioned in a spring opening 39 in the support hand are coiled about the spring compression rod 41, which is attached to the anchor plate 23. In use, the springs 38 are compressed between the knob 42' of rod 41, and a reinforcing plate 43 mortised into the end face 19 of support 11.

V A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which like reference numerals have been utilized to identify parts corresponding to parts previously identified in connection with the description of the first embodiment. I

In this second embodiment of the invention, a different type actuating mechanism has been used to accomplish the desired reciprocal movement of the anchor plates 23. In this embodiment the force-transmitting element is a flexible cord 44 attached to the ends of push rods 46 and 47. As shown, the flexible cord 44, which may be made of nylon or other similar material, is guided past and around pulleys or guide posts 48 and 49 respectively. These guide posts 48 are mounted on strap members 51 and 52 respectively that are disposed across the opening 13a in the back support 11a. The push rods 46 and 47 are adapted for reciprocal movement respectively in openings 53 and 54 drilled in the back support 11a.

As in the previous installation, springs 38a are provided to actuate the mechanism. In this embodiment, however, the springs 38a are disposed about the push rods 46 and 47 for compression between pins 56 passing through the push rods 46 and 47 and the reinforcing plate 43a. As in the previous embodiment, guide pins 57 are provided for reciprocal movement in the guide openings 58. With this arrangement the anchor plates 23 may be moved to the alternate position shown in Fig. for introduction of the dispenser box 18, and the spring forces will again tend to move the sharpened pegs 26 into engagement with the ends of the dispenser box when the handle is released.

Though the use of two springs has been shown and described in the description of both the first and second embodiments of the invention, it is true that only one spring is necessary for successful operation of the device. However, if one spring only is utilized in the second embodiment of the invention, it will be observed that the spring must be positioned to actuate the push rod 46 or 47 on the end of the device opposite the actuating handle 27, whereas in the first embodiment the single spring could be disposed on either end of the mechanism. Accordingly, in the illustration of Fig. 4, the spring 38a would have to actuate the push rod 47, whereas, if the single actuator handle 27 was on the anchor piece 23 associated with push rod 47, the spring 38a would then have to be on the push rod 46. This observation is important, since it will be desirable to have only a single actuator handle 27 on the device when it is positioned in some crowded locations. Further, for universal adaptability, it is desirable that the mechanism be selectively operable from either end of the device. Accordingly, it is intended that the handles 27 are to be easily detachable from any of the anchor pieces 23.

A third and simplified embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment only one anchor piece 23 is made reciprocal and movable, and a second anchor stop 59 is permanently secured to the back. support 11c. As in the previous embodiments, a sharpened peg 26c is positioned on the anchor stop 59.. In operation of this embodiment, the handle 27 is utilized to move the anchor plate 23c reciprocally and operatively away from the support base 11c, and the dispenser box is supported on the base by the stops 16 and then pushed into engagement with the sharpened peg 26c. Subsequently, the

anchor plate 230 and sharpened peg 260 are moved into engagement with the end of the dispenser box to securely hold the box in place. As in the previous embodiment, a spring 38c is disposed on a spring compression rod 41c for compression between the knob 42c and the reinforcing plate 43c. Likewise, in this embodiment a guide pin 570 is utilized for reciprocal movement in the guide bore 580.

As in all previous embodiments, the stops 16 and guides 21 are preferably secured to the support 11 by screws or the like (not shown). In this last embodiment the positioning of stops 16 may be changed to change I the relative positioning ofthe handle and actuator mechanism when the device is to be used from the opposite direction. Similar reversal of positioning is possible by changing the plates 23c and 59, so they extend backwardly from the support 11, as shown.

A separate simplified embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 7, in which it will be noted that the back support 11d is provided with a central opening 13d. As in the previous embodiments, a guide opening 58 and a push rod opening 61 are provided through the back support between the side face 19d of the back support 11d and the central opening 13d. As in the previous embodiments, a guide pin 57 is introduced for reciprocal movement in the guide opening 58, and a push rod 52 passes through the opening 61. A movable anchor plate 23d is again provided with a sharpened peg 26 and an operating handle 27. As in the previous embodiment, reciprocal movement of the anchor plate 23d permits the sharpened peg 26 to be moved to a position out of contact with the dispenser box placed and secured on the back support 11d.

The operating element in this embodiment of the invention includes the use of a plurality of rubber bands 63 that are placed in tension about a T head 64 on the push rod 62 and some other suitable anchoring member, such as a corresponding T head 64, as shown in this drawing. Since identical arrangements are provided in the embodiment shown, the apparatus can be operated from either end or both ends simultaneously; however, it will be obvious that either of the sharpened pegs 26 could be maintained in an anchored position if it was desirable to provide only a single operating end for the device. As in previous embodiments, stops 16 are provided to help position the box on the back support 11d. In connection with this design of the mechanism, it should be observed that where it is desirable to have a relatively thin back support 11d, the operator handle 27 may be moved forwardly to a position coaxial with the sharpened peg 26 instead of a position coaxial with the push rod 62, or 32, as shown inFig. 1. This alternative placement of the operating handle gets it out away from the supporting wall where it may be. readily grasped and makes it possible to provide a thin back support structure.

An adjusting mechanism is shown in Fig. 8/ This mechanism is intended for use where it is expectedthat dispenser boxes of various dimensions might be' used. While various means might be used to accomplish-this purpose, the means shown in Fig. 8 includesthe use of a cut slot 66 into which guide rails 67 are secured. A slide piece 68 is adapted to move reciprocally in guide rail 67, and anchor piece 23c which provides support for sharpened peg 26 is secured to the slide piece 68. With this arrangement the anchor plate 23c may be moved reciprocally along the back support lle to adjusted positions as necessary to accommodate dispenser boxes of random lengths. In order to hold the slide piece 68 in adjusted position, a locking pin 69 is provided to engage spaced depressions 71- in the side of the slide piece 68. The locking pin 69 is urged into engagement with the space depressions 71 bymeans of a spring 72 compressed between a pin 73 and an insert 74 at the bottom face 76 of the back support 11d. This mechanism, as shown in Fig. 8, can be used in various ways. First, a movable anchor piece 23 having suitable operating mechanism (not shown) may be used to hold a dispenser box between the sharpened pegs 26. In this type operation the box will be engaged against the sharpened peg 26 of the anchor plate 232, and subsequently the anchor plate 23 will be moved reciprocally to cause the other sharpened peg 26 to come into contact with the box.

An alternative arrangement would be to have the anchor plate 23 and its associated sharpened peg 26 in fixed position. With this arrangement the anchor plate 23c could be moved reciprocally along the guide rail 67 to engage the dispenser box and to hold the box in position on the back support He.

Mhile several modifications and changes of the present invention have been shown, it should be obvious that this invention is adaptable to further modifications and changes-for instance, the operating mechanism could be positioned to operate from the top and bottom as well as the sides. It is, of course, obvious that other elastic members inclusive of flat springs could be used in place of coil springs and rubber bands as shown. A further modification and improvement wouldinclude the use of box-engaging pins which are tapered only on the side closest to the support base. With this arrangement the pins will tend to more securely hold the dispenser box in desired position. This same advantage could, of course, be obtained by inserting the pins at an angle with respect to the base support to attain the same gripping action as the pins move inwardly into the dispenser box. These suggested forms for the tapered pins are shown in Figs. 9 and 10. All such modifications and changes as come within the scope of the hereunto appended claims are deemed to be a part of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket for supporting a cleansing tissue dispenser box in exposed position comprising a base support adapted to be secured to a supporting surface, a plurality of plates extending forwardly from said base for engaging the sides of the dispenser box when the bottom of the box is positioned on the outer face of the base, a movable plate supported by said base having a portion extending forwardly from said base arranged for movement toward and away from a side of said base and a side of a box, a pin of tapered cross section on the forward portion of said movable plate for puncturing a hole in a side of a box when said plate moves inwardly toward the side of said base, said pin having divergent side walls away from the point thereof, with the side wall adjacent said base being disposed at a greater angle with respect to the direction of movement of said pin than the side wall away from said base, and an elastic member for urging said movable plate inwardly toward the side of said base and box whereby the bottom of the dispenser box is adapted to be pressed against said base support by the interaction of said tapered pin and the punctured hole.

2. A bracket for supporting a cleansing tissue dispenser box in exposed position comprising a base support providing longitudinally extending openings inwardly from a side face of said support, rod members in said longitudinal openings, a plate having a portion extending forwardly from said base attached to said rods for reciprocal movement therewith toward and away from the side of said base support, a pin of tapered cross section on said plate disposed to puncture a hole in a box when the plate moves inwardly toward the side of said base, said pin having divergent side walls away from the point thereof, with the side wall adjacent said base being disposed at a greater angle with respect to the direction of movement of said pin than the side wall away from said base, and a spring member on one of said rods for urging said movable plate inwardly toward the side of said base and box whereby the bottom of the dispenser box is adapted to be pressed against said base by the interaction of said tapered pin and the punctured hole.

3. A bracket for supporting a cleansing tissue dispenser box in exposed position comprising a base support having a centrally disposed opening therein and providing longitudinally extending openings interconnecting said central opening and the side faces of said support, rod guide members in said openings, linkage means interconnecting symmetrically positioned rods at opposite sides of said base for conjoint reciprocal movement in opposite directions, plates on each of the opposite sides of said base attached to said symmetrically positioned rods, pins of tapered cross section on said movable plates disposed to puncture a hole in the end walls of a box when the movable plates move inwardly toward the sides of said base, said pins having divergent side walls away from the point thereof, with the side wall adjacent said base being disposed at a greater angle with respect to the direction of movement of said pin than the side wall away from said base, and a spring member acting against at least one of said rods for urging said rods and movable plates inwardly toward the sides of said base and dispenser box whereby the bottom of the box is adapted to be pressed against said base support by the interaction of said tapered pins and the punctured hole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,388 Dyer Jan. 14, 1879 345,302 Hayes et a1. July 13, 1886 1,386,575 Lewis Aug. 2, 1921 1,720,309 Wakefield July 9, 1929 1,831,665 Hunt Nov. 10, 1931 2,008,625 Moulds July 16, 1935 2,155,760 Hy Apr. 25, 1939 2,465,626 Barrett Mar. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,857 Finland Feb. 17, 1950 

